Friday, August 6, 2010

Carolina Panthers guard Duke Robinson talked to the media for the first time today since the beginning of training camp July 29. Normally this would not be a big deal -- an offensive guard who may or may not start talking to the media -- but it passes for one today because Robinson has been singled out by the Panthers for being overweight.

The team didn't let him practice full-go for the first several days of practice. He's in there now, though, and looks pretty good (and pretty big). Robinson is listed at 6-foot-5 and 330 pounds, although he obviously weighs more than that. He doesn't look as big as Kris Jenkins or Maake Kemoeatu, but he's not that terribly far off, I don't believe.

In Robinson's press conference with about 6-8 reporters, I asked him how much he weighed right now, which led to this exchange:

“That’s not relevant,” Robinson said.“It’s not?” I asked. “It seems relevant.”“I mean, it is,” said Robinson, smiling with a “You’re-not-getting-that-number-out-of-me” look. “Right now, though, I’m just working. I’m in the process of getting to the goal where I want to get.”

My column for Saturday's newspaper (and online) gets more into Robinson's weight situation and what his upside could be for Carolina if he can control it. In the meantime, I'm going to try out the "That's not relevant" answer in my own life whenever I'm asked a difficult question.

Boss: When are you going to get that overdue story into us?Me: That's not relevant.

give me a break Anonymous 1 & 2. These are the type of little stories that make training camp a bit entertaining for us fans. If they don't update with stories, everyone complains, and when they do, people make smartass remarks like you two. Let it be...most of us enjoy any type of article about the Panthers, whether it be about Duke Robinson bein a fatty or Jimmy Clausen buying soda for Smitty. I, for one, appreciate such exchanges between local reporters and players. Quit finding reasons to hate.

I agree with Tom P. Not sure why people feel the need to write stupid negative little comments - maybe they are trying to be funny or something. But yet...there always seems to be someone like anonymous 1 & 2 who comment after every story.

Maybe he meant it’s not relevant to what you need to know about him. I think the illustration you used was funny because you are not his boss, and therefore he does not owe you an answer. I'm sure that his coaches (you know: his actual bosses) know how much he weighs because they need to know that information. Because his weight is relevant... to them.

Scott was simply relating to us "what exactly happened". I believe that is the job of a reporter, is it not? I enjoyed it. I like unvarnished truth...or "truthyness" as George W Bush used to say. Don't worry about "fat boy" Robinson, Scott. Sure he's big and mean, but he's also slow and dimwitted. I think you can take him. Seriously, Duke's weight most definitely is relevant. It was so relevant that he was withheld from doing his job, which is practicing. Duke's response to a legitimate question about his ability to be accountable was both flippant and egotistical.

Sometimes I can't believe some of the stuff I read on here. Scott was not suggesting that he was anyone's boss. He was saying he thought he'd try that with his boss at the CO when they asked where was that overdue story. Some people just want to try to make someone else look stupid ..... but it actually backfires and makes you look stupid!

Dear mrbernz (I always have detested anyone who gives themselves a title, I mean "MR"? Isn't every male a "MR".) The relevancy is - (you might want to get out a pen and pad and take notes) that lazy a$$ FAT BOY Robinson (you notice I left out the Mr, which I deem as a sign of respect)was not there to do his job. Other people had relied on him, planned for him training, made accommodations to give him a chance to show his worthiness. Money and time of some very important people were nullified as "irrelevant", as Duke was out of shape and a threat to not only his health but also the welfare of his team. You D#@$ well better be good in games Duke.

Poor South Carolina regulators, you want to talk about a screen name, you are ashamed of yourself 7 gave yourself a group name. But i am sure you are just another of many people that i have clowned in this chat b4. & fyi, his weight is not relevant now, he is playing isnt he?

They really will just write about any stupid thing, won't they? His weight? Not important, he didn't have any reason to tell you, and if he was practicing then obviously it's no longer an issue. Just the title of the article, like you were offended by his comment. "?!" What a poxy.

I dont believe the Charlotte Observer "made" any of the Panthers players. If you want to know the guys weight ask the coach, otherwise go by what they have him listed at. He is out there practicing now so his weight must be acceptable to the team standards for practicing. Weight doesnt really tell yu anything anyway since weight can be muscle as well as fat.